discredit

[uncountable](formal)damage to somebody’s reputation; loss of respectViolent football fans bring discredit on the teams they support.Britain, to its discredit, did not speak out against these atrocities.My brother’s behaviour did great discredit to the family.comparecreditWord Originmid 16th cent.: from dis- (expressing reversal) + credit, on the pattern of Italian(di)scredito (noun), (di)screditare (verb), and Frenchdiscrédit (noun), discréditer (verb).Extra examplesBy telling lies he brought discredit upon the Army.His selfish decision is greatly to his discredit.It does us great discredit to treat foreigners so badly.She brought the whole system into discredit.They were a discredit to their country.Your failure reflects no discredit upon you—you did your best.Britain, to its discredit, did not speak out against these atrocities.Her behaviour has brought disgrace/​shame/​dishonour/​discredit on her family.My brother’s behaviour did great discredit to the family.